Many people like the vintage look of an old sofa or chair but the upholstery is out of style. Maybe you have that old sofa from grandma and the old chair from Aunt Anne but they don't match. There is a solution to this and other problems you might have with mismatched or outdated furniture. Choose new furniture slipcovers. Slipcovers can give you a contemporary look while letting your keep those heirlooms. You can choose between matching fabrics for your furniture slipcover or complementary fabrics to mix or match your design scheme.

From a practical standpoint, you may want to use slipcovers to match a room to the season. Or perhaps you’d like to simulate an upholstered look, either temporarily (while you decide on larger issues of your decor) or as a final design. (For some ideas, see Dress up your chair.) In any case, I’d like to show you just how easy it is to breathe fresh air into your home or apartment with the simplest of slipcovering projects: a seat cover for a beloved or interesting side chair. And for those of you who are new to sewing, don’t worry. Making a chair cover is an ultraeasy way to practice basic sewing skills. Combine sumptuous fabrics, exotic closures, outrageous trims, different pleat treatments, or even your favorite embellishments.